WORLD leading IT manufacturer Hewlett Packard has chosen Guildford-based A&P Computers as one of an elite squad of suppliers who set a quality benchmark in the industry.

After undergoing a rigorous selection procedure, A&P is one of only 38 IT specialists in the UK and Ireland to be designated as a Hewlett Packard (HP) Centre of Excellence.

HP has around 14,000 resellers in the country and plans eventually to accredit 100 to 150 of them as Centres of Excellence.

This seal of approval from a company which is among the top three IT manufacturers in the world will bring many advantages for A&P customers including availability preference, exclusive special offers and more technical support.

"This recognition of A&P's skills and quality of service will offer its customers an extra comfort factor," said David Smith, HP's national small and medium business manager.

Presenting the Centre of Excellence certificate at A&P's Walnut Tree Close premises, Mr Smith said that the Guildford based company epitomised everything HP sought in such a centre. "It is a trusted supplier with good links in the Guildford community, a prime sales area for us, and it reflects our own approach to business," he said.

An independent supplier with a strong local presence, A&P was solid financially, had impressive facilities, high profile customers and carried good stock levels, Mr Smith added.

"The company has demonstrated its integrity and its ability to advise customers who don't know IT, delivering them total solutions," he said.

As a Centre of Excellence A&P will have access to comprehensive training and marketing and communications support.

"We have supplied HP products since we started 12 years ago but we are now committed to a closer partnership," said Shahid Azeem, managing director of A& P Computers.

"It will put us at the frontline for delivery of a quality service in the local community on HP's behalf. More direct communication links with HP will generate even greater customer satisfaction and confidence in us as a one-stop IT solutions centre."